Imitative Classic Landscape (album leaves)

Wang Jian, also known by his courtesy name Yuanzhao, and his literary names Xiangbi and Ranxiang’anzhu, was born in Taicang. He was the great-grandson of Wang Shizhen. Being a juren (a second degree graduate or a successful candidate in the Provincial Examination), he served as Governor of Lianzhou in the reign of Emperor Chongzhen. He refused to assume any position in the government in the Qing Dynasty. Specializing in landscape, Wang was influenced by Dong Qichang and heavily employed the styles in the Song and Yuan periods. His paintings are grand with a touch of ancient elegance, and his use of ink and brush is meticulous, refined and graceful. He was renowned as one of the “Four Wangs” – the four outstanding landscape painters in the early Qing dynasty – along with Wang Shimin, Wang Hui, and Wang Yuanqi.